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# Operations Status Status Title Lastname Firstname eMail Institution Title of Presentatation Theme Selection Abstract SID
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Accepted Pending Review Mr. Singwane Thembinkosi thembinkosi.singwane@ul.ac.za University of limpopo Mental Healthcare Needs of People with Mental Illness at Community-Based Centres in South Africa: Advancing Equity for Vulnerable Groups THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Despite their roles not being clearly defined in mental health care services, social workers have been and continue to be the first point of entry in several communities for mental health services. Most rural communities in South Africa are underserviced when concerning services relating to mental health, the Life Esidimeni tragedy is one practical example. Mental ill-health poses a great threat to several people with mental illness in South Africa. However, the needs of people with mental illness and related challenges are not well documented. Hence this paper sought to explore the mental healthcare needs of people with mental illness from the perspectives of their service providers (i.e., social workers) at selected centres in South Africa. The study employed a qualitative, exploratory multiple case study design. Furthermore, the purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select social workers (n=13) in five community-based centres. The collected data was analysed through thematic analysis. This study found that people with mental illness are underserved at the community level. Further findings of the study revealed that there are no clear guidelines for the admission of a person with mental health-related challenges. However, the findings revealed that hospitals and clinics don’t prioritise people with mental illness. It is recommended that meticulous guidelines be enacted at a community-based level for the admission of people with mental illness and their related services. 928
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Accepted Accepted Ms. Mathebula Siphathisene siphathisene.mathebula@wits.ac.za Wits university Digital innovation meets storytelling: How educational podcasts can act as impactful tools in the dispersing of social work education to diverse populations. THEME 6: Main-streaming Digital and Assessment Tools in Social Work Practice The use of podcasts as supplementary learning tools has grown in higher education. Prompted by the COVID19 and the pivot to hybrid learning methods, educational podcasts can reach audiences worldwide, transcending geographic and socioeconomic barriers. Educational podcasts support self-directed learning offering greater convenience to learners and catering to a variety of learning preferences. There is dearth of research on the different ways that educational podcasts can be developed, the role that voice, interviewing technique and content dissemination can assist in creating quality educational podcasts that can reach a broader audience. This presentation explores the creation of a South African podcast called the Social Work Khuluma Podcast to tell the story of how educators can develop their own podcasts to support their learning outcomes and create greater engagement with their students. The podcast, is a social work-based podcast where experts are interviewed on a particular topic related to Social Work. The first presenter, served as the podcast`s host for the year 2024-2025 and draws on her hosting experience to emphasise the potential of podcasts in exploring a variety of themes through meaningful conversation and the many creative approaches that educational podcasts can take, including the emphasising of storytelling and the drawing on the personal anecdotes (of guests) to unpack complex sub themes. These approaches allow for educational podcasts to be included in the basket of offerings that can be used to enrich course design and create a social presence to make learning more meaningful. In this presentation, we unpack the methods used and how tone of voice, style, and length can be leveraged to create educational podcasts that are more engaging and nuanced. This presentation offers guidelines for the audience who may consider creating their own podcast or use some of the podcast created.

Keywords

Delivery
Educational Podcasts
Voice
Digital
Guidelines
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Accepted Accepted Ms. Karels Elsie Karelsfele@gmail.com North-west university The influence of the father’s absence on the psychosocial well-being of students at Taletso TVET College. THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The influence of father absence does not fade away as the child grows, but it hangs on to the children, young adults and offspring for life unless addressed. The purpose of the study is to describe the influence of father absence on the psychosocial well-being of college students. Few studies show that the father absence effect does not fade away. As such, there is a gap in studies that address the long-term impact of father absence and how these effects influence the psycho-social well-being of students. Therefore, the objectives of the study are: (a) to describe the emotional experiences of students with absent fathers, (b) to describe the social relationships and support systems of students with absent fathers, (c) to describe the academic performance of students with absent fathers, and (d) to assess the coping mechanisms used by students with absent fathers. This study is inductive; the qualitative approach and descriptive design will be adopted. The study population will comprise students from Taletso TVET College who have absent fathers. Participants will be sampled by purposive and snowball sampling. The recruitment process will involve advertising the study on a Facebook page and the WhatsApp groups of the college. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews. The interviews will be conducted online through Zoom meetings and will be further analyzed thematically. When analysing data thematically, the researcher will identify common themes and patterns in the students’ description of the influence of father absence on their psychosocial wellbeing. This study will contribute to the available studies, policy amendments, describe the influence of father absence on the psychosocial well-being of students and prove whether father absence affects young adults and perpetuates an intergenerational cycle of poverty. 933
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Accepted Accepted Prof. Matlakala Koketso fransmatlakala@gmail.com North-west university Influence of natural hazards on farmers’ livelihoods and mental health in the Southern African development community: a scoping review THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises Natural hazards pose significant challenges for farmers and rural communities around the world, leading to increased levels of psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. This paper aimed at scoping existing literature on the influence of natural hazards on farmers’ livelihood and mental health in the Southern African Development Community. A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify relevant empirical studies and grey literature published between 2014 and 2024 in multiple databases, including PubMed, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Science Direct, and the Sabinet African Journal. The researchers also conducted a forward and backwards search on Google Scholar and used the Research Rabbit tool to gain more information. A combination of descriptive and content analysis was used to analyse the scoped data. The findings of this scoping review highlighted those farmers experience increased mental health burdens due to disruptions in livelihoods, loss of social support networks, and financial insecurity. The dynamic nature of the coping strategies employed by these farmers included the transition from initial resource maintenance and emotion-focused approaches to meaning-making strategies over time. However, the long-term consequences of mental health, including the potential for intergenerational trauma, remain understudied. The review emphasises the importance of culturally relevant and community-driven resilience frameworks that leverage indigenous knowledge and empower local stakeholders. Addressing intersectional vulnerabilities, enhancing adaptive capacity in the agricultural sector, and integrating mental health support are critical components of comprehensive adaptation strategies. Adopting a holistic and interdisciplinary approach is essential to foster more equitable and sustainable pathways for adaptation and resilience. 934
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Mabvira Agrippa agrippamabvira@gmail.com University of the witwatersrand Social Work course redesigning and rethinking in alignment with the elements of authentic e-learning THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development The enhancement of quality in social work education hinges on embracing innovative pedagogies that respond to evolving societal challenges and the dynamic nature of professional social work practice. Authentic learning serves as a critical framework in this context, as it emphasises real-world relevance, active learner engagement and the development of skills directly applicable to professional environments. In this presentation, we share the results of a systematic review on authentic e-learning in higher education post COVID 19. This focus is crucial for building responsive social work curricula, as it aligns with the need to provide learning experiences that are not only technologically enriched but also deeply connected to real-world contexts and professional practices. The systematic review utilised data written between 2019 and 2024 from Google Scholar, EBSCOHost and Sabinet. The screening procedure focused on three key objectives: examining the challenges and benefits of implementing authentic e-learning in educational settings, exploring theoretical frameworks underpinning authentic e-learning environments, and providing recommendations for redesigning social work courses in alignment with the ten elements of authentic e-learning. The aim of this presentation is to determine the current landscape on authentic e-learning and offer recommendations for the enhancement of quality in higher education through authentic e-learning. The findings of the review reveal seven significant focus themes. These include problem-based learning (PBL), integration of digital tools and strategies, development of policies and guidelines to support innovative educational frameworks, flexibility and inclusivity in course delivery, integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), expansion of broadband access and internet facilities to bridge the digital divide, blended learning models, authentic assessment strategies and the use of mobile learning applications. This systematic review provides actionable insights that can inform strategies to build responsive social work curricula that is attuned to the complexities of real-world practice. 935
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Accepted Pending Review Dr. Shumani Mulaudzi shumani.mulaudzi@gauteng.gov.za Gauteng provincial department of roads and transport Decolonising and Diversifying the Social Work Curriculum: Advancing Inclusion and Equity in Social Work Education THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development Social inclusion in social work education is essential for promoting equity, diversity, and the meaningful engagement of students from various backgrounds. In South Africa, where colonial legacies and structural inequalities still affect higher education, this paper examines the necessity of decolonising and diversifying the social work curriculum. Employing a transdisciplinary and social justice framework, the study highlights critical themes related to the marginalisation of African epistemologies, the exclusion of lived experiences, and the prevalence of Eurocentric pedagogies.
The paper utilises case studies, student narratives, and institutional reflections to explore how feminist, queer, indigenous, and disability justice perspectives can be integrated into curriculum transformation efforts. It identifies ongoing barriers including cultural erasure, systemic exclusion, and a lack of representational content alongside emerging practices that encourage inclusive, responsive, and equity-oriented teaching.
The findings provide practical and theoretical insights for educators, policymakers, and scholars dedicated to socially responsive education. Ultimately, the paper advocates for a transformative curriculum that empowers students to engage critically with intersectional identities and systemic injustices, nurturing a new generation of social workers equipped to address South Africa’s complex social realities.
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Accepted Accepted Ms. Ngubane Nozipho noziphongubane87@gmail.com Department of social development Age of Consent and Lack of Policy Harmonization Influencing Early and Unwanted Pregnancy THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Background
Early and Unintended Pregnancies (EUP) in Eastern and Southern Africa are proven to have higher percentage compared to other countries globally. This study aims to critically analyze the correspondence between the age of consent and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services in conjunction with the existing legal and policy framework implementation and implication.
Methodology
A desktop research methodology was used. Literature was sourced using keyword searches such as “age of consent,” “early pregnancy,” “policy harmonization,” and “sexual and reproductive health services” across academic databases and legal repositories. The review focused on Eastern a South African materials published between 2000 and 2023, including academic books, peer-reviewed journal articles, legislative texts, court cases, and policy reports.
Findings
The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and The Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTOP) 92 of 1996 pose a paradox. The age of sexual consent is 16 years, and the other Act, allows a child of any age to consent to termination of pregnancy without parental consent. Literature reveals that the implications of this contradiction vary across population groups and that younger adolescent (ages 12–14) are less likely to access termination services compared to older adolescents, partly due to limited awareness and fear of stigma. Religion, race, socioeconomic and cultural beliefs also intersect with racial groups creating more barriers in public health settings than those with better access to private care. Reviewing existing policies for policy harmonization is essential to ensure effectiveness.
Conclusion
One approach may be the initialization of health care services in schools through routine health consultation for every child on a quarterly basis, so that early interventions and prevention measures can be enforced to prevent (EUP). Addressing (EUP) demands legal harmonization, ethical clarity, and inclusive, adolescent-responsive service models that align with the lived realities of young people.
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Accepted Accepted Mr. Madavha Tshilidzi balcan mtshilidzibalcan@yahoo.com Department of social development Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises Green social work refers to the growing movement within the profession to address environmental challenges through practice. Social workers are increasingly involved in helping communities address issues related to climate change, pollution, and resource depletion. The focus that social work places on community is one of the ways in which it differentiates itself from other professions such as psychology, psychiatry and counselling.
It is however essential and helpful for social workers to travel outside the boundaries of society in order to have a more comprehensive understanding of human suffering (Kondrat, 2013). The ecological setting in which society lives plays a significant part in the development of human beings. This ecosystem is essential for human life, and as such, it needs to be preserved and maintained so that it can continue to fulfil its function. Miller et al. (2012), states that social workers have the responsibility to address environmental problems and play a role as intermediaries or advocates, ensuring assistance and support for individuals affected by such issues.
Green social work operates at multiple levels of practice, from individuals to communities and to global systems. Social workers actively participate in social action at both the micro and macro levels as an integral aspect of their responsibilities as agents of change. Moreover, they strategically align ongoing research and policy endeavors with the primary goals that pertain specifically to the populations that face the highest vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. The integration of sustainability-related concepts and methods across various aspects of communal life is of utmost importance in order to enhance the potential for transformative responses in the face of challenges. The presentation will focus of green social work and climate resilience in support of communities in the face of environmental crises.
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Accepted Accepted Ms. Jordaan Leanne leanne.jordaan@up.ac.za University of pretoria Raised by the Herd: Insights from African Elephants for the Support and Continuing Professional Development of Newly Qualified Social Workers in South Africa THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development Title of Abstract:
Raised by the Herd: Insights from African Elephants for the Support and Continuing Professional Development of Newly Qualified Social Workers in South Africa

Authors:
Leanne Jordaan*, Stephan Geyer
University of Pretoria, South Africa

Corresponding Author:
Leanne Jordaan
Email: leanne.jordaan@up.ac.za
Phone: +2712 420 4848

Presentation Format:
Parallel session presentation

Abstract
Newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) in South Africa face numerous challenges when transitioning into the workforce. Although graduates complete a four-year generic Bachelor of Social Work degree, expectations are that they will be work-ready, especially for specialist areas of practice. This is unrealistic, often leaving them feeling underprepared and unsupported. This experience reflects global concerns, where NQSWs frequently lack adequate supervision, mentorship, and structured professional development during the transitional phase on entering the workplace. The researchers adopted a cross-sectional survey to explore the post-qualification support and development needs of South African NQSWs operationalised through Qualtricsxm. Using non-probability sampling, 39 NQSWs from diverse practice settings completed the questionnaire designed for the South African context. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings reveal critical gaps in early career support, with NQSWs highlighting the need for structured induction programmes, mentorship, supervision, and specialist training opportunities. These elements are vital for improving job satisfaction, professional confidence, and enhanced work retention. The study draws on the metaphor of African elephant calves, raised within cooperative, nurturing herds, to emphasise the value of collective care and extended support systems for emerging professionals. As calves thrive through shared responsibility and protection, NQSWs benefit from collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments that foster ongoing growth and resilience. Recommendations include the development of a responsive, collaborative framework for the support and continuing professional development of NQSWs, tailored to the realities of South Africa and other lower- to middle-income countries. This includes clearer guidance on post-qualification pathways, strengthened inter-organisational collaboration, and improved access to training and supervision. The presentation aims to contribute to discussions on building responsive post-graduate social work curricula, focusing on the needs of NQSWs, by offering evidence-based strategies that better equip graduates for practice.

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Accepted Accepted Prof. Malan Hanelie Hanelie.Malan@nwu.ac.za North-west university Enablers of Psychosocial Resilience During COVID-19: Insights from a South African Study THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises This qualitative study explores resilience enablers among individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 or exhibited symptoms during the height of the pandemic. Conducted between July and November 2022, the research involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 16 participants. While the study documented physical symptoms such as respiratory difficulties, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell, its core focus lay in uncovering the psychosocial mechanisms that supported individual coping and recovery.
Findings revealed that participants drew heavily on three interrelated components of the Sense of Coherence (SOC) framework: comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. These elements enabled participants to make sense of the crisis, mobilise personal and external resources, and anchor their experiences in a greater sense of purpose. Participants’ ability to understand the evolving nature of the pandemic, access supportive networks, and find meaning in their roles and relationships significantly contributed to their capacity to cope and recover.
In the broader context of climate resilience and green social work, these insights offer valuable parallels. Just as individuals navigated the uncertainty of COVID-19, vulnerable communities facing environmental crises must similarly cultivate psychosocial resilience to withstand and adapt to shocks. The study highlights the importance of integrating mental health, social support, and strengths-based approaches into climate-responsive social work practice. By fostering a strong sense of coherence and drawing on individual and collective strengths, social workers can support communities not only to survive crises but also to emerge stronger.
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Accepted Pending Review Ms. Duvenage Elza elza@mediationplus.co.za North-west university Rapid Review of Child Maltreatment Assessment Models in Custody Dispute Cases THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Child protection assessments within the context of child custody disputes are complex and challenging to deal with. A custody dispute cases often involves a lack of trust, anger, repetitive litigation, fearful parental relationships, blame projection, refusal to cooperate, allegations of abuse, and sabotaging parent-child relationships. Despite advancements in child protection assessment models since the 20th Century, social workers still face challenges in handling allegations of child maltreatment in child custody disputes, due to the inadequacy and rigor of existing child protection assessment models and tools. This study utilises a rapid review methodology that aims to identify and synthesise literature on child maltreatment assessment models which are globally available to assist social workers in cases of child custody disputes. Comprehensive searches were undertaken by applying the North-West University’s OneSearch engine. Using a rapid review approach, the empirical data extracted from quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies were analysed. Based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 studies were included in this review. The findings confirm the need of considering harmful co-parenting behaviours and attitudes that are unique yet typical in high conflict custody dispute cases. The findings further confirmed that by incorporating the harmful behavioural factors into multi-method assessment instruments, such as structured surveys, decision trees, and qualitative interviews the professional judgement, recommendations and accountability of statutory social workers are improved. The use of inconsistent definitions associated with psychological abuse or the omission of these definitions within the current scope of child protection practise is a hinderance in achieving standardised assessment results. The incorporation of assessment frameworks that are theoretically founded in social work theories such as ecological systems and ecological transactional frameworks bear higher assessment rigor to the social work profession and should ground the development of upcoming assessment instruments, in future. 958
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Moodley Rajeshree rajeshree.moodley1127@gmail.com Department of social development Integrated Strategies for Health, Wellbeing, and Economic Empowerment in the management of trauma-induced toxic shame amongst youth transitioning from care and their families THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The multiple disadvantages from the youths traumatic experiences before, during and even after leaving care contribute to toxic shame. A qualitative study in eThekwini obtained a multi-perspective on planning for transition and aftercare support through the perceptions of 16 youth transitioning/transitioned from residential care; their 10 family caregivers and 23 child and youth care workers, social workers, and managers,. The descriptive-interpretive design and thematically analyzed semi-structured interviews found trauma-induced toxic shame emerged from “shame-bound” experiences of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, poverty and/or being in care. Trauma-induced toxic shame is debilitating, self-perpetuating feelings of guilt, self-blame, worthlessness and inadequacy, stemming from traumatic experiences, profoundly impacting on mental health and wellbeing. Even amongst the most resilient youth, shame was internalized and became toxic. The persistent feelings of toxic shame manifested into self-destructive behaviour and mental and physical health problems, differently amongst the male and female youth. When left untreated, the extension into adulthood contributed to further deterioration. It may pass through generations, often, unspoken, undetected and not addressed. The youth were oblivious to parental shame related to family circumstances. Family caregivers’ shame intensified as they helplessly observed their children encounter similar experiences and vulnerabilities that they endured. The complex interplay between trauma, shame, and family dynamics impacts negatively on all facets of the youth and family caregivers lives including access to quality education, decent employment, and healthcare. In addressing trauma-induced toxic shame, parental shame and fostering resilience, children, youth and families can overcome adversity. Strategic trauma-informed care and therapy, strength based support and mentoring, education and vocational training, economic empowerment initiatives and family therapy are recommended for their holistic wellbeing. The discourse must advance policy and practice reform for management of trauma induced toxic shame as an obstacle for sustainable development. 964
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Pretorius Luce Luce.Pretorius@nwu.ac.za North-west university, south africa Teaching safety: Rethinking client violence in social work education THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development Client violence against social workers is an escalating issue that impacts the safety, mental health, and retention of practitioners across the globe. Despite the documented prevalence and effects of such violence, there is a concerning gap in how social work education prepares students to recognise and respond to these risks. This study presents a scoping review of 22 international studies on client violence, applying Social Learning Theory (SLT) to understand how violence is socially reinforced and how coping behaviours are modelled within practice environments.

Findings highlight verbal abuse, threats, and physical assaults as common experiences, particularly among young and female practitioners. Consequences include emotional exhaustion, avoidance behaviours, and weakened organisational culture. The review further identifies gaps in training, with most curricula omitting structured violence-prevention content, leaving early-career social workers underprepared.

Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from North-West University’s Health Research Ethics Committee (reference: NWU-HREC-23070-24-A1).

This paper responds to Theme 4, Subtheme 4.2, by offering a framework for building responsive curricula that embed trauma-informed approaches, conflict de-escalation, and SLT-informed safety training. It emphasises the need for curriculum transformation that moves beyond theoretical knowledge, enabling students to develop realistic, context-sensitive competencies for high-risk practice settings.

As an oral presentation, this paper will detail key risk trends, theory-practice connections, and concrete recommendations for curriculum innovation. It contributes to current debates on safety, sustainability, and workforce resilience, encouraging reflection on how we prepare future social workers for nontraditional yet unavoidable challenges in the field.		 965
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Accepted Pending Review Ms. Goitsilwe Dakalo dakalo.thathana@gmail.com North-west university south africa Women who serve in combat roles: Exploring gender-related challenges among women in the South African Army THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Women serving in combat roles within the South African Army face gender-specific challenges, often stemming from the masculine nature of the military, which demands a high level of physical strength. While occupational social work services are available to all military personnel to help them cope with any work-related challenges, none of the existing programmes are tailored to assist women in the military with their unique gender-related issues. This study aimed to explore the experiences of women serving in combat roles in the South African Army to gain insight into the gender-specific challenges they face while performing combat duties.

A qualitative research design was employed, incorporating a rapid review and focus-group discussions with women from three military combat units in the North-West province of South Africa. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from North-West University’s Health Research Ethics Committee (reference: N W U - 0 0 1 7 0 - 2 3 - A 1). Thematic analysis was used to analyse data from both the rapid review and the focus-group discussions.

The study identified gender-related challenges encountered by women in military combat as: Lack of resources and support; Operational challenges; Sexual harassment; Challenges during pregnancy and childcare; Physical strength limitations; Work-life balance; Societal gender stereotypes and bias; Traditional gender roles; and Mental health. These findings highlight the need for tailored social work intervention to promote gender equality and wellbeing of women within the military combat, thereby contributing to Social Work and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals(SDG-5), and Subtheme: Work with special and vulnerable populations (women).
As an oral presentation, the practical implications of occupational social work research within the South African Army, findings, and recommendations for future research. Thereby, encouraging protection and support for the vulnerable population (women in military combat).		 968
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Perumal Nevashnee Nevashnee.Perumal@mandela.ac.za Nelson mandela university AUTHENTIC ELEARNING STRATEGIES FOR COURSE REDESIGN: VOICES OF BSW STUDENTS STUDYING AT TWO EASTERN CAPE UNIVERSITIES THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development During COVID, academic programmes were placed under immense pressure, with a forced migration to online methods of learning and teaching despite students and staff from some of the HEIs being unprepared for this. Added to this pressure is the context of learning and teaching within the BSW degree, a qualification that requires students to understand theory and apply it in practice through fieldwork opportunities. This becomes more difficult through online learning and teaching. In response to this pressure, and as a group of nine academics from seven Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa, we came together to theorise and create authentic elearning strategies for a postCOVID South Africa. Each academic then returned to their HEI with plans to redesign a social work module integrating the principles of authentic elearning. This paper presents the preliminary findings from two academics, both working at HEI’s in the Eastern Cape, a large and predominantly rural province characterised by high rates of poverty and a scarcity of resources. This context is felt even within the HEI context, both by students and staff, where we acknowledge unequal resources in relation to many other universities. Therefore the question we put to ourselves is: how can we redesign social work courses authentically and together by learning from students in our two institutions? Data was collected through focus groups discussions with social work students. Three themes emerged during data analysis. These are support for effective learning, gaps in the BSW programme and barriers to learning. In conclusion, the principles of authentic learning were found to be supportive and relevant while online learning was seen as less effective for learning and teaching in the BSW degree. Lastly it was found that for learning and teaching to be most effective both the humanising pedagogy and a humanising approach are needed. 973
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Phillips Ashwill ramon phillipsar@ufs.ac.za University of the free state From risk to resilience: Understanding the criminogenic risk, protective factors and occult dimension of youth gang subculture in the Free State province THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Youth gang involvement remains a pervasive social challenge, particularly within marginalised communities affected by poverty, exclusion, substance abuse and restricted access to legitimate employment. As a result, gang-related crime and violence across South Africa is rife, impacting individuals, families and the broader community. With reference to the Free State province, gang practices intersect with the occult and include practices related to devil-worship, witchcraft and the use of traditional African medicine to further the commission of criminal activities. Youth street gangs in the region engage in various acts ranging from spiritually-motivated crimes to blood sacrifice, animal slaughter and demonic manifestation. Despite the surge in gang activity and the gratuitous violence used by these groups, a dearth of research exists pertaining to their modus operandi, origin and gang ideology. Accordingly, the current study draws from interviews conducted with gang members, non-gang-affiliated offenders and service professionals to explore the factors motivating membership, the protective factors which act a safeguard and their associated occult involvement. Key findings highlight the pursuit of power, protection, poverty and peer affiliation as pertinent risks, while the creation of accessible prosocial recreational opportunities, employment and gang awareness were noted as key protective factors. Understanding risk exposure, gang trajectories and factors that enhance resilience from the lived experience of offenders, serve to humanise the gang issue and assist social workers and other stakeholders in strengthening support services for vulnerable youths, develop targeted interventions, refine policies and systemic responses, and incorporate relevant protective factors when designing or facilitating programmes within gang-prone communities. 976
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Accepted Accepted Mr. Pophaim Jean-paul PophaimJ@ufs.ac.za The university of the free state A victim-inclusive policy framework for people experiencing homelessness: Outcomes of a consultative stakeholder engagement THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice Homelessness is a multidimensional phenomenon that compromises and intersects with various aspects of life. The nature of homelessness perpetuates recurrent stakeholder engagement, yet reinforces barriers, making it challenging for people experiencing homelessness to access essential services and opportunities. The dynamics between homelessness, policy and service delivery is constantly evolving and remains an important research area. The main objective of this qualitative study was to obtain input from stakeholders regarding the development of an evidence-based victim inclusive policy framework. The data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, with 38 participants from diverse sectors and analysed using thematic analysis. Three broad themes were established in relation to the main objective. Theme one reports on the understanding of the dynamics of homelessness, theme two delves into some of the main challenges associated with addressing homelessness and theme deals with stakeholder perspectives regarding the current directives and their input for advancing inclusivity among people experiencing homelessness. The findings suggest a considerable gap in collaboration and communication within the broader system leading to several ideological and practical challenges related to addressing homelessness. Based on the nature of the current findings, results from the preceding phases will be integrated to inform the development the proposed inclusive policy framework, which positions the infusion of Ubuntu and Batho Pele principles to transform policy responses which will intentionally create comprehensive and equitable access for people experiencing homelessness. 984
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Mabvira Agrippa agrippamabvira@gmail.com University of the witwatersrand The Process of Critical Collaborations on South African Social Work Education: A Participatory Action Research Approach. THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development This presentation reports on the significance of collaborative, relationship-centered engagement in social work education. It details a project involving South African social work educators, a curriculum specialist, and a postgraduate fellow who worked together to redesign social work courses using authentic, technology-enhanced learning methods. Motivated by a shared commitment to pedagogical innovation, the aim of this project was to develop real-world scenarios, strategies, and guidelines to improve teaching and learning in social work education by using authentic learning principles. The project was grounded in Educational Design Research (EDR) and participatory action research (PAR), emphasizing co-learning and democratic collaboration amongst team members. Aligning with PAR, this presentation reports on thematically analysed reflective accounts from researchers as participants which highlights both the transformative potential and the challenges of PAR in respect of group collaboration, including conflict avoidance and power dynamics. Recommendations centre around consciously harnessing individual academic strengths of the researcher-participants, clearer group communication, creating spaces of trust to enable authentic researcher-participant reflections as well as ethical accountability and consistent contributions towards the project outcomes. 989
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Accepted Accepted Mr. Nwaigwe Charles cunwaigwe@gmail.com University of botswana From Stigma to Strategy: Addressing Barriers to HIV Self-testing Access Among Adolescent and Young People in Botswana. THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The concept of HIV self-testing presents a promising opportunity to improve HIV diagnosis among adolescent and young people (AYP), a group often hindered by traditional testing method due to stigma, privacy concerns, and accessibility issues. Despite several interventions, uptake remains a challenge due to systemic and social barriers, such as costs, stigma, age of consent restrictions, misconceptions of HIVST, and the lack of youth-centric distribution channels. Thus, the aim of the study was to explore barriers to HIVST access among AYP. This qualitative study was conducted in Gaborone, Botswana. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling methods was used to recruit participants. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 35 AYP aged 16-24, of whom 18 participated in IDIs and 17 in FGDs. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Findings reveal that cost, stigma, misconceptions, and restricted age of consent policies are significant barrier factors to HIVST access. Addressing these structural and psychosocial barriers can significantly improve HIVST uptake, aligning with the National goals and sustaining the already achieved UNAIDS 2030 vision of 95-95-95. 997
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Accepted Accepted Ms. Mthiyane Nokuphiwa nokuphiwamthiyane9@gmail.com Field worker TREATING AND MANAGING GAMBLING DISORDERS AMONG WOMEN IN KING CESTHWAYO THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Historically, gambling was perceived as a male-dominated activity. To the contrary, recent trends indicate a growing and active participation of women in gambling. This presentation seeks to share findings from a study that focused on the treatment and management of gambling disorders among women in the King Cetshwayo District guided by two objectives: (1) to determine the level of women's involvement in gambling, and (2) to examine the factors contributing to their involvement and was underpinned by the Empowerment Model.

A qualitative research approach was adopted. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women using an interview schedule. The collected data were thematically analysed.

The findings of the study confirmed that women are actively and increasingly involved in gambling activities, indicating a shift from the traditional perception of gambling as a male-dominated activity.

Key factors contributing to this involvement was household financial instability due to intimate partners’ inability or unwillingness to support their families. Gambling was perceived as a potential means of supplementing household income or addressing immediate financial needs. In addition the influence of peer networks was a notable driver.

Highlighting the role of social circles and peer encouragement thus normalising gambling behaviour among women. Thus, the complex socio-economic and relational dynamics that underpin gambling behaviour among women point to the need for targeted interventions that address both the economic and social triggers of gambling.
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